First Round Northumberland County Senior Cup
Percy Park RFC 73 v Whitley Bay Rockcliff 21
Pace and Precision Excite
Under lights on Thursday 26th August 2021 Percy Park kicked off their first game of the season in the first round of the Northumberland County Senior Cup with a dash of flair and sparkle as they dispatched a competitive side from our dear neighbours at Whitley Bay Rockcliff by 73 points to 21.
For all the literary eloquence this game had so much more than the result. The game became a gathering. Supporters from all the local clubs descended on Preston Avenue with an exuberant fervour that owed more to watching a game of ‘real’ rugby and meeting with old friends and team mates than it did the result. It was in this realisation that the effects of Covid -19 were felt. Lock-downs, ‘Hands, face and space’, media driven totalisers, NHS venue check-ins and the fear of the ping were briefly forgotten as we met in the bar, conversed on the touchline or walked the perimeter drawing in the atmosphere of an event we all feared eighteen months ago might never happen. At the whistle we ascended to the bar and stayed there for as long as we could. The chatter was a joy to hear and instead of Covid we talked rugby and the game we had just witnessed. Forget the result this game was competitive throughout…Park were just that bit better and we enjoyed it!
Familiar faces stretched their legs joined by four new additions to the squad. Percy Park reintroduced Matthew Atkinson into the front row, 10 years after his first team debut as an eighteen year old, returning to Tyneside from London and Belsize Park RFC. Jamie Wrigley came into the back line having returned home from Loughborough University with degree in hand and a successful stint with Loughborough Students. Paul Spowart made a welcome reappearance at his home club looking ‘leaner and meaner’ as he slipped into the number 10 slot and Robin Houghton made a welcome debut at ‘9’ joining the ‘Black and Whites’ from North One West side Northwich RUFC.
The game exploded into life. From the kick off Percy Park were in the corner with wing Ross Young finishing a dynamic and fast move across the pitch creating space for the finish. It didn’t end there. Howard Stock went through the middle and Jamie Wrigley skipped over to complete a quick start at 21 points to nil. It was then that the chatter took a break and an audible sigh from the Rockcliff faithful replaced the converse and it didn’t get any better for them as the Percy Park pack rolled on and notched another for a 28 point lead. With a shrug of the shoulders the chatter resumed.
Despite the sigh the Rockcliff side never dropped away. Their defensive game was aggressive putting in some terrific hits and they soon got their reward from a scrum move. As the away side settled the two teams swopped scores to the half. Joe Cassidy finished a fine individual break and Adam Hay added another for the forwards. Rock responded by taking advantage of a defensive gap and a clever cross kick creating the score.
Six tries to three at the break…42 to 21.
At the turn Percy Park strengthened from the bench and ran away with the game. Seb Reece was first over followed by Adam Hay. Although Rockcliff remained tight and aggressive in the forward area they could not live with Park’s ability to pass the ball from 1 to 15 at pace and with precision. Three further tries followed before referee Dave Charlton ended the game a tad early with the score at 73 points to 21.
The result culminated a fine pre-season for Percy Park. Their first outing was against Tynedale Raiders in a game played on the quarter. Percy Park looked good and showcased some exciting young talent that promises much. Names that I will introduce as the season unfurls. Despite losing (overall) by 39 to 33 there was so much promise that the faithful were breathing the word exciting!
Their second blast was a three way hosted by Durham City and featured ourselves alongside Stockton RFC…Middlesbrough were supposed to join but were unable to field a side.
Pak started where they left off defeating Durham City 35-5 with some panache. On this outing you have to worry for Durham City; at level 6 they are going to get ‘munched’… the excitement got too much for one ex Percy Park President who encouraged all about to be ‘upstanding’ for one score that ended with a flourish. With red faces the travelling support gave their former President a little ripple whilst remaining firmly in their seats….after all it was pre-season!!...Stockton did not fare any better against a ruthless Percy Park side losing the game 52-5.
Pre-season and an emphatic cup win has generated some really exciting rugby…and anticipation of a successful campaign…we do have some outstanding players but its league points that really matter and we need to turn that panache and enthusiasm into victories…Percy Park kick off in earnest at Preston Avenue 3pm on Saturday 4th September against Ponteland…if you are ‘Black and White’ you shouldn’t miss it…. I’m sure it will be a cracker!!